The Ultimate Zesty and Festive Quick Bread

Experience the perfect harmony of tart, fresh cranberries and bright, sunny orange zest in every slice of this Cranberry Orange Bread. It is the ultimate holiday-inspired treat that makes your home smell like a dream. Whether you are looking for a cozy breakfast alongside your morning coffee or a thoughtful homemade gift for neighbors, this moist and tender quick bread hits the spot. Best of all, the recipe comes together in minutes, making it an effortless win for busy schedules. Get ready to impress your guests with this beautifully textured, flavorful loaf that truly captures the essence of seasonal comfort baking!

⏱️ Time Breakdown

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10-12 slices

📝 Ingredients List

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 cup fresh cranberries, halved
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

9×5 inch loaf pan
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Whisk
Rubber spatula
Grater or zester
Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your loaf pan lightly with oil or butter. 🍞
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate medium bowl, combine the egg, orange juice, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to fold the mixture until just combined; it is okay if a few small lumps remain.
Gently fold in the fresh cranberries and orange zest, ensuring they are evenly distributed through the batter.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy! ✨

💡 Pro Tips

Cooling matters: Always let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.
Storage: Keep the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freezing: This bread freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil; it stays fresh for up to 2 months.

Variations

Nutty Crunch: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra layer of texture.
Glaze it: Whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice for a simple, sweet drizzle.

FAQ

Can I use frozen cranberries? Yes! Just be sure to toss them in a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter so they don’t bleed color into the dough.

Is this bread vegan-friendly? To make it vegan, replace the egg with a “flax egg” (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water) and ensure all other ingredients are plant-based.

Cranberry Orange Bread

Author: Samantha Jones
Total Time: 70
Yield: 1 loaf (10-12 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Experience the perfect harmony of tart, fresh cranberries and bright, sunny orange zest in every slice of this festive quick bread. This moist and tender loaf is an effortless holiday-inspired treat, perfect for a cozy breakfast or a thoughtful homemade gift. With a beautifully textured crumb and vibrant citrus notes, this recipe is simple to prepare and sure to impress guests with its seasonal comfort and aromatic appeal.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
1 cup fresh cranberries, halved
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your 9×5 inch loaf pan lightly with oil or butter.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a separate medium bowl, combine the egg, orange juice, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold until just combined, leaving a few small lumps.
Gently fold in the fresh cranberries and orange zest.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing to prevent crumbling. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week. The bread can also be wrapped tightly and frozen.

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 55
Category: Recipes
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 210
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 140mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 18mg